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Jess nodded soberly. “Yes,” she agreed softly.
“Here’s the thing,” Cameron continued. “Normally, the Master who extends an invitation to join the club is the one to provide mentorship. While the Mentor/sub relationship isn’t an intimate one per se, it is, by its nature, quite personal. And, as I’m sure you know, when the personal and professional collide, things can get, uh, messy. It can be especially difficult for you, as my subordinate. While I certainly don’t anticipate any overlap between work and the club, it could still be awkward for you. I don’t want to place you in a compromising situation.”
Jess picked up her water glass. Her hand shook slightly as she brought it to her lips. Her hair was a riot of loose, glossy curls framing that pretty face. Her cheeks were flushed, no doubt from the intense scene she’d endured at the sadistic hands of Hayden and Olivia.
Mandy appeared, a laden tray in her hands. She set down a three-tiered tea stand, one tier of tiny sandwiches, one of sliced fresh peaches and berries, and the third brimming with little cookies and pastries. A young man in the white uniform of the kitchen staff appeared behind her, carrying a second tray with the tea set.
Mandy set a small plate and linen napkin with silverware rolled inside in front of each of them, along with delicate teacups on matching saucers. The young man carefully placed the china tea pot in the center of the table, along with cream, sugar and sliced lemon.
“Thank you both,” Cameron said with a nod.
“Our pleasure, Sir,” Mandy replied with a small curtsey.
As the servers melted away, Cameron turned back to Jess with a smile. “Please, help yourself.”
“I guess I am hungry,” she said, reaching for a sandwich, several pieces of cut fruit and a miniature chocolate éclair.
“Tea?” Cameron queried, enjoying playing host to his new charge. If she agreed to his mentorship.
Once they both had a steaming cup of tea in front of them, Cameron forced himself back to the issue at hand. “So, back to what I was saying. While I’m in no doubt that you’ll be an excellent addition to the club, there’s still this niggling issue of a potential conflict of interest. While the mentor/sub relationship isn’t designed to be a long-term arrangement, it can be fairly intense. When a pleasure sub comes on board, his or her mentor does a comprehensive assessment of the sub’s strengths and weaknesses. He directs, trains and even punishes if and when that might become necessary.”
God. He still sounded so stiff. What was it about this girl that was knocking him off his game? He took a sip of tea as he ordered himself to quit pussyfooting around and cut to the chase. “What I’m trying to say is, if you want a different mentor because of the potential conflict of interest between our personal and professional lives, I entirely understand and even agree. That would probably be the wise decision for us both. I believe Master William is available to mentor. I think you’d work well together.”
The small smile that had been playing over Jess’s lips now fell away, her eyebrows furrowing. “Wait. What? You… you don’t want to mentor me?” she asked, looking at that moment like a little kid, her lower lip jutting into a pout.
Cameron couldn’t help but smile. “Want doesn’t come into it, Jess,” he replied, though he was lying through his teeth. He wanted this girl—this woman—and he needed to both admit it, at least to himself, and to make damn sure he didn’t let that desire interfere with his duties. “The mentor/sub relationship is a formal contract, limited in its scope by definition,” he said, sounding to his own ears like a droning law professor.
Jess licked away a daub of chocolate frosting from her lip. The gesture was effortlessly sensual, and Cameron’s balls tightened in appreciation. She took a sip of her tea as she met his gaze.
Was that a spark of defiance in her expression? Determination? In spite of himself, Cameron was intrigued. While he loved submissives of every type, he especially gravitated toward women who were strong and self-assured—who understood and embraced the courage it took to submit.
Jess lifted her chin, meeting his eyes. “No offense, Sir, but isn’t this a little late for questioning what we’re doing? I mean”—she waved her hand around the small dining room, taking in the other couples in her sweep—“you invited me to do this, knowing that I worked for you. You watched me audition and I’m assuming you also watched the exam with Master Hayden and Mistress Olivia, so you know I’m serious. I’m aware of the potential conflicts. As you noted, I’m the one with more to lose. So I appreciate that you’re giving me this out. But I don’t want it.”
